Pembroke man leads police on wild Route 24 chase

Monday

Aug 24, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 24, 2009 at 6:11 AM

A Pembroke man who allegedly struck a motorcyclist with his car in Hanson on Sunday afternoon led state police on a wild chase on Route 24 before bailing out just south of Route 44 in Raynham where he was arrested by State Trooper Shayne Suarez and a K-9, police said.

Frank Mulligan

A Pembroke man who allegedly struck a motorcyclist with his car in Hanson Sunday afternoon led state police on a wild chase on Route 24 before bailing out just south of Route 44 in Raynham where he was arrested by State Trooper Shayne Suarez and a K-9, police said.

State police were alerted that James Palhete, 42, of 45 Gardner Lane in Pembroke, was being sought in connection with the motorcycle accident and was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee early Sunday afternoon. According to a report, the motorcycle accident did not cause a life-threatening injury.

Palhete was spotted on Route 24 south by exit 15 in Bridgewater at about 12:25 p.m. by state police and the chase began, a state police spokesman said.

During the pursuit, Palhete allegedly drove the wrong way on Route 24 at least twice, once going north and once going south, according to state police. Police would break off the chase when he drove the wrong way.

He was arrested by Suarez and the K-9 at 12:53 p.m., and was being treated for a dog bite at an area hospital Sunday evening.

He was to be arraigned in Taunton District Court Monday on charges arising from the chase that will include refusing to stop, operating to endanger, operating with a suspended license, and speeding. Separate charges will be filed in connection with the incident in Hanson, police said.